Northrop Grumman [NOC] has submitted a proposal with L-3 Communications [LLL] for the U.S. Navy’s EPX aircraft program that will provide a transformational, multi-intelligence capability delivering strike targeting information to the warfighter, Northrop Grumman said.
The proposal was submitted in response to a broad agency announcement (BAA) issued in November that solicited bids to develop an EPX preferred system concept and analyze the risks and requirements.
L-3 will serve as the main subcontractor to Northrop Grumman.
Lockheed Martin [LMT] has also responded to the EPX BAA, providing information on both mission system and airframe options, Craig Quigley, a Lockheed Martin spokesman, said.
Boeing [BA] has also submitted an EPX proposal.
The Navy envisions EPX as a shore-based, manned aircraft providing intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and targeting (ISR&T) support to carrier strike groups and theater, combatant and national commanders. The EPX would assume the role of the Navy’s EP-3E aircraft and provide greatly expanded capabilities.
“The EPX program will re-capitalize the EP-3 aircraft to provide tactical, theater, and national-level Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Targeting (ISR&T) support to Carrier Strike Groups and to Theater, Combatant, and National commander,” according to the Navy.
The service held an industry day in October to discuss its EPX program, and responses to the BAA were due Dec. 17.
According to the BAA, the Navy will make multiple awards in the second quarter of FY ’08.
“The Navy intends to award multiple firm fixed price contracts based on proposals submitted in response to the BAA, within a total budget of $5 million. No contract will exceed $1.25 million,” according to the BAA.
The period of performance is anticipated to be five months from date of award, the BAA said.
Northrop Grumman has developed numerous mission systems solutions for a variety of needs in ISR&T and battle management command and control. In particular, Northrop Grumman brings decades of experience in naval aviation systems integration with systems such as the E-2 Hawkeye and EA-6B Prowler, the company said.
“Northrop Grumman and L-3 combine unmatched expertise in battle management, airborne ISR&T and the development of special mission aircraft,” Pat McMahon, vice president of Information Operations and Electronic Attack for Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Systems sector, said. “We look forward to demonstrating our capabilities to meet the Navy’s critical need for an expanded ISR&T capability in a smaller, more networked force.”
L-3 brings systems integration experience on a number of ISR&T aircraft, particularly as prime contractor for the EP-3E, the proven system the EPX will replace, Northrop Grumman added.
“L-3’s success as a customer-focused ISR&T systems integrator is rooted in our customer responsiveness and the ability to meet mission requirements with technically innovative, platform-independent solutions,” Mike Holmes, vice president of Federal Programs for L-3’s Integrated Systems subsidiary, said.
L-3 Integrated Systems is the industry’s leading non-OEM aircraft integrator, serving major ISR&T fleets for the U.S. and its allies for more than 50 years. Major programs/fleets include the EP-3E, RC-135 and EC-130, as well as programs for the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and South Korea, according to Northrop Grumman.
In addition to their legacy with Navy systems, Northrop Grumman and L-3 have extensive experience with U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army systems, which will enable them to provide joint service capabilities in their EPX solution, Northrop Grumman said.